Power shifting as South Dakota St. wins first FCS championship

South Dakota State Jackrabbits head coach John Stiegelmeier is doused with Gatorade after the South Dakota State Jackrabbits defeat the North Dakota State Bison in the DI Football Championship at Toyota Stadium. Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Power in FCS shifting as South Dakota State wins first championship

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 1/8/23

On Sunday, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits hoisted its first FCS Championship trophy, knocking off rival the North Dakota State Bison, 45-21 in Frisco, Texas.

While defeating a long-time rival has to make the championship win even sweeter, it could also signal a changing of the guard in the FCS.

A perennial powerhouse, North Dakota State entered Sunday as the defending champs, having won nine of the last 11 FCS titles.

However, momentum seems to be shifting south in the over 100-year rivalry.

Counting Sunday's FCS title win, South Dakota State has won four straight over the Bisons, its longest winning streak over their rival since they won four in a row from 1947-50.

The Bison have lost only nine FCS games since 2016, with six coming against South Dakota State, per the Athletic's Chris Vannini.

After a tight first quarter on Sunday, the Jackrabbits pulled away with a strong second quarter, eventually walking away with a 24-point victory and the program's first FCS title.

NATIONAL CHAMPS #GoJacks pic.twitter.com/z3lLJf3x65
— SDSU Football (@GoJacksFB) January 8, 2023

Quarterback Mark Gronowski was named the National Championship Player of the Game, finishing 14-of-21 for 223 yards and three touchdowns through the air, adding 57 rushing yards and a touchdown off five attempts.

South Dakota State ran all over North Dakota State, finishing with 283 rushing yards, averaging 7.4 yards per attempt.

Running backs Amar Johnson and Isaiah Davis eclipsed the century mark on the ground.

Johnson led the Jackrabbits, rushing for 126 yards and a touchdown off nine carries. Meanwhile, Davis carried the football 22 times, finishing with 103 yards and a score.

The Bison and Jackrabbits have battled it out on the gridiron for 119 years in the "Dakota Marker," beginning with an 85-0 win by North Dakota State in the first meeting back in 1903.

However, Sunday's FCS Championship win may go down as South Dakota State's most significant victory ever over its rival.

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